Bakugan Battle Squad.
Chapter 8: Confronting the Realities.

(Written by Hope as the co-author of this story.)

"So what you're saying is that your long lost brother is back." Sorrow stated, giving Hope a pointed look.
Hope nodded wordlessly.
"Not just any brother, twin brother, that is." Mica added.
"You can say that again." Sorrow grumbled.
"Not just any...-"
"I didn't mean it!" The red-head snapped at the girl.
"Sure you didn't!" She shot back at him.
"You wanna pick up a fight, Mickey?!"
"Don't call me that!"
"Stop it already!" Hope finally decided to separate her bickering team-mates, "You're giving me a head-ache."
"He started it!" The two snapped in unison before glaring at each other.
"So...what's the plan?" A quiet voice came out of no where.
"Jeez, Zero! Man, you almost gave me a heart attack! Make some noise when you move!" Sorrow looked back in bewilderment as Black Zero -or Zero...as they preferred to call him- entered the room calmly.
"Zero! Sorrow was being mean to me again!" Mica went over to the taller teen.
"Like hell I was!"
"Language!" Hope pinched the bridge of her nose as another round of casual bickering arose once more.
"As I was saying before I was interrupted by...someone..." Mica glared sharply as the red-head.
Sorrow snickered, "I'm a free citizen! My vote counts! Freedom of expression!"
"Do you ever get that empty feeling in your head?!"
"At least I don't have a big mouth!"
"Oh please! Sorrow...I'd really like to help you out...if you tell me which way you came in!"
After a few minutes, Hope felt like exploding if that kept going on and stood up abruptly, "I'm going to get some air."
Leaving the room, she shut the door louder than necessary.
"What was that about?" Mica blinked.
"She just has a lot on her mind." Sorrow acted his age and attempted to divert the younger girl's attention, "So...who's the big-headed jerk again?!"
"Sorrow...you...ugh!"

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Hope took a deep breathe as her black eyes wandered off at the sight before her. Leaning against the metal railing, she could see miles and miles of greenery. The small apartment they had to themselves was located on a secluded area, surrounded by grassy plains. It was safe, that they were sure of.
The sliding door to the balcony opened with almost no sound and without turning, Hope knew who it was. Familiar foot steps approached her.
"Hey." Zero's voice was quiet as usual.
"Hey." Hope kept surveying the green land blankly.
"Want to talk?" Zero was gazing at the scenery with her, resting his arms on the railing.
Exhaling and somewhat releasing her pent up frustration, Hope did began to talk. It was always the same. Whenever she was all worked up, Zero would find her sulking and confront her, she'd pour her heart out to the silent teen...who would listen without a comment and when she was done, would offer his support in every possible way.
With occasional gaps here and there, Hope started speaking about her life. Her leadership duties. Her failures. But most of all, the return of her brother who was opposing her.

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"You're unbelievable!" Mica brought her hands down on the table hard, yelped at the impact and turned away.
"Where're you going, Mickey?" Sorrow got up as well.
"To find something to eat! Food is much better than...-" Mica stopped abruptly in front of the balcony. The large glass window showed the picture outside clearly.
"Better than...what? Mickey? Mickey? Mica?!" Sorrow turned around to look at the girl as she stared outside the glass barrier.
"I knew they had a thing for each other!" The red head declared triumphantly as the two witnessed Hope and Zero in an embrace.

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Zero wasn't a huggy person...not at all. But for Hope, he'd make an exception. For rarely, the girl needed comfort but when she did, there weren't much people she trusted to display her vulnerability openly to.
Like now, for instance. As she shook in his arms with silent sobs, she appeared to be even more delicate. The teen allowed his leader to lighten her heart and free it of the heavy burden she was carrying.
"Hope...I promise. As long as I'm alive, I'll never leave you."
"I swear Hope...as long as my heart is beating, I'll never leave you alone."
"He lied to me Zero..." She whispered brokenly, "I'll never forgive him. He lied to me."